| Are you a WAHM (work at home mom)? Or | | | | Also, consider working for yourself in a home |
| maybe you'd like to be one? | | | | business instead of working an at-home "job". |
| You've made a great decision. As a work at | | | | You'll have much less stress because you'll answer |
| home mom you get the best of both worlds. You | | | | to you, not your boss, and you won't feel like |
| are home with your kids so they are being raised | | | | you're trying to compete with the others at the |
| by you instead of a daycare worker, and you | | | | office. Plus, you'll be earning money for yourself |
| also are making an income to support your family. | | | | and growing your business instead of working to |
| Work at home moms have it all - the joy of their | | | | make your boss rich. |
| children, the mental stimulation of a career, and a | | | | Key to Success #3: Practice Good Self-Care |
| stress-free, comfortable work environment. | | | | During your baby's alone activity time and his |
| "Wait!" You say, "WAHM jobs are not stress-free!" | | | | sleep time you can get a lot of work done. But |
| Well ladies I'm here to tell you it can be done. | | | | don't forget that you need to take care of YOU! |
| Consider me your personal WAHM resource for | | | | Without you at your emotional best even the |
| solutions to your work at home problems. Follow | | | | smallest thing can turn you into a walking time |
| these simple steps to create an organized and | | | | bomb. |
| effective work at home environment. | | | | Take the time to relax in a hot bath, read an |
| Key to Success #1: Create A Flexible Schedule | | | | inspirational book, get a massage, take a walk |
| Babies need to be on a schedule right away. In | | | | alone, or whatever helps you to clear your mind |
| fact they thrive and actually cry less knowing that | | | | and focus on you. You are the most important |
| they can count on their needs being met regularly. | | | | part of this equation! |
| For most babies you can follow a simple schedule | | | | Key to Success #4: Ask For Help |
| of feeding time, followed by activity time, then | | | | So often we think we're alone, or that we're |
| sleep time. The length varies for each step | | | | weak if we ask for help. This is a time in our lives |
| depending on the age of your child. | | | | that we need help more than ever. We just can't |
| Activities also vary according to age. Your baby | | | | possibly do it all. |
| could be staring at a mobile turning above her, | | | | So ask your family, friends and neighbors to |
| playing with brightly colored toys, reading a book | | | | assist your efforts. Whether it's for babysitting |
| with you, or banging away on a drum and singing. | | | | (even if you're there at your desk working) or |
| Here's the key - your baby needs to learn how | | | | buying groceries, enlist the support of others so |
| to play on their own as well. So during part of | | | | you can have a break or accomplish a task. You |
| activity time you should allow your baby to enjoy | | | | deserve it! |
| playing alone. This will give you a little "you" time. | | | | Key to Success #5: Exercise |
| You can keep a watchful eye on them from | | | | It doesn't matter if you do yoga, go to the gym, |
| across the room, or depending on their age and if | | | | walk the neighborhood, hike the trails or use a |
| they are in a safe area, you can use a baby | | | | climbing wall. Be active every day. Exercise keeps |
| monitor. | | | | you young, stimulates those "feel good" hormones |
| Be sure to watch for signs of your baby getting | | | | in your body, refreshes you mentally, and helps |
| tired. If you delay putting them to bed you can | | | | get rid of those pregnancy pounds too. |
| actually miss the window of opportunity and you'll | | | | Don't beat yourself up with an unrealistic exercise |
| have a very fussy baby who won't go to sleep. | | | | program. Just work it into your day. You can |
| At the first sign of a yawn or face and eye | | | | even space it out. Studies show that 10 minutes |
| rubbing, it's time to put them down for a nap. | | | | of exercise three times a day is just as beneficial |
| Then you can knuckle down and accomplish your | | | | as 30 minutes at one time. The important thing is |
| work tasks. It's very important for you to list | | | | to do it regularly, and preferably every day. |
| your goals and action steps and do the most | | | | Key to Success #6: Be Grateful Every Day |
| important tasks first. That way if baby wakes up | | | | This is so important. Do this in the morning while |
| early you have already done the most important | | | | you brush your teeth, shower, or even while |
| thing for your day! | | | | feeding baby. Run through in your mind everything |
| Repeat this schedule throughout your day so you | | | | you are grateful for. |
| and your baby know what to expect and when. | | | | You can begin thinking "I am so happy and |
| They won't adapt to this overnight, be patient | | | | grateful that...my family is healthy, we have this |
| and keep at it. And remember that the length of | | | | roof over our head, we are warm and safe, my |
| each cycle will continually change as they grow. | | | | parents live close by, we have food in the pantry, |
| Stay flexible while still maintaining the cycle of | | | | I have the ability to work from home, I have the |
| feeding, activity then sleep. | | | | skills I need to succeed, I have access to the |
| Key to Success #2: You Can Only Do What You | | | | internet to maintain a business" etc... |
| Can Do | | | | Don't skip this step. It will put you in the right |
| This is so important for WAHM work at home | | | | frame of mind to accomplish your goals every |
| moms. Think about it a second. You can only do | | | | day. |
| what you can do. There is no sense in worrying | | | | Key to Success #7: Maximize Your Work Time |
| that your day didn't go as planned and you didn't | | | | As a work at home mom your attention is |
| achieve this or that. Get used to it! | | | | constantly being pulled in many directions. It's so |
| You have an important job here, and that is | | | | important that the time you spend working is |
| taking care of your little one. Work is important | | | | maximized. |
| and has its place but you have a responsibility to | | | | What do I mean by maximizing your time? I |
| keep yourself healthy and sane. If your baby has | | | | mean be sure that your efforts have a clear and |
| a meltdown and you're unable to get to your | | | | substantial reward. It makes no sense to take |
| work for another hour, so be it. Don't waste | | | | time away from your children if you're not well |
| energy worrying or fretting about it. | | | | compensated. In my business I make at least |
| If you're going to be successful you'll have to | | | | $1000 per transaction, so I always know my time |
| work at odd times and make sacrifices here and | | | | is well spent. |
| there. Maybe you'll do a little work after baby is in | | | | You also want to utilize the concept of leverage in |
| bed for the night, maybe you skip some TV time. | | | | your business. There should be a system in place |
| Do what you can, when you can, and feel proud | | | | so that you do the work once, but keep |
| that you are taking steps every single day | | | | benefiting from those initial efforts later on, |
| towards your goal - a happy baby and a | | | | without more time or input from you. |
| successful mommy! | | | | |